[Hervé SAVARY]

A retired Gendarmerie officer, I am researching the fighting that took place on 11 and 12 June 1940 near Saint-Valery-en-caux in Normandy, in which the 2/7th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment took part.

Suffering heavy losses, particularly in the towns of Blosseville/mer (5), Sotteville/mer (30), then Veules-les-roses (5), the survivors of the 2/7th were nevertheless able to re-embark for the most part and resume the fight.

Among the killed is C.Q.M.S. Fred Hirst, 2/7 Duke of Wellington’s Regiment; Severely wounded in Sotteville-sur-mer battlefield 11h June 1940 he was reported missing at St. Valery, then subsequently as a prisoner of war. He probably died on June 14 in Auppegard, (25 km from Saint-Valery-en-caux) and buried in Auppegard churchyard.

I get in touch with Scott Flaving, DWR historian and organized ceremonies on June 2023 in Sotteville/mer with an important DWR delegation

to help me find I’d like to get in touch with Fred Hirst’s family an get photos.

I hope to have information soon on the circumstances of his death

I am in possession of a British MKI helmet found in Blosseville/mer bearing the initials F.H, the only ones corresponding to Fred Hirst…

I am asking for your help to help me find Fred Hirst’s family an get photos.

Thanking you in advance

Major(rtd) Hervé Savary
Home phone: 00 33 +02 32 06 54 50
Whatsapp mobile: 00 33+06 82 16 14 15

[Hervé SAVARY]

Hello Dave,

Retired french Gendarmerie officer (major) I’m searching informations and families about

C.Q.M.S. Fred Hirst, 2/7 Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who was reported missing at St. Valery on June 11. is a prisoner of war. Official intimation has been received by his wife, who, with her three children, lives at 663, Manchester Road.

C.Q.M.S. Hirst, who was thirty-eight years of age, served in the Territorial Army for eighteen years. He is the son of the late Mr. Arthur Hirst and Mrs. Hirst, Ingfield Terrace, Slaithwaite. In civil life he was a stoker at the Huddersfield Corporation Electricity Works.

Huddersfield Examiner (15/Mar/1941):

MILNSBRIDGE CHURCH MEETING

At the electors’ meeting the Vicar, in a reference to the war, mentioned that two local men had been killed during the year – Brian Butterworth, following an accident in Scotland, and Sgt. Fred Hirst, who was severely wounded in France and died subsequently as a prisoner of war. Eighteen regular members of the church were now serving with the Forces, and in all some four hundred Milnsbridge men were in one or other of the Services.

He died june 14th and was buried in Auppegard communal cemetery extension

I have his own british MKII helmet with J.H initials,  found in Blosseville sur mer farm, where 2/7th  DWR fought and suffered heavy losses o, 11th june 1940

I’m in touch with Scott Flaving, DWR historian who is living in Huddersfield

Could you help me?

Best records

Hervé

[Author]

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